What is Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma?
Follicular thyroid cancer is the second most common cancer and accounts for approximately 95% of all cancers. The thyroid gland is a hormone-producing gland that is responsible for normal metabolism, growth, and development of the body and is located in the neck.
Disease Epidemiology
It is the second most prevalent type of thyroid cancer. It is less common in children and slightly predominates in older people. It is more prevalent in females as compared to males. The prognosis is poor in older people with follicular thyroid cancer compared to younger people with the same disease. The cancer survival rate is 98% in people under 50 years of age with follicular thyroid cancer. Distant metastases are more common in follicular thyroid cancer compared to other types of thyroid cancer. The most common sites of tumour metastasis are the lungs, liver, brain, bladder, and skin.
Disease Etiology (Cause)
There is no well-known cause, however, exposure to certain types of ionizing radiation and inadequate dietary iodine intake are some of the risk factors that are believed to be responsible for follicular thyroid cancer.
Signs and Symptoms
In most of the cases, the tumour or carcinoma is asymptomatic. The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are;
- A palpable, silent (asymptomatic ) mass or nodule in the neck
- In the early stages, there is no symptom of pain
- Some patients can suffer from cough, difficulty in swallowing and breathing
- In cases of distant bone metastases, bone fractures and bone pain may occur.
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis, these are;
- Thyroid Function test ( Test for TSH, T3, and T4, these are thyroid hormones )
- Ultra-sonography (USG) thyroid and neck
- USG-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB)
Treatment
Surgery is the main treatment option; selection of the right surgical procedure depends upon the size and extent of the tumour.
- If the tumour is less than 1 cm, lobectomy (removal of the affected part of the thyroid gland) and isthmustectomy (surgical removal of the isthmus).
- If the tumour exceeds 1 cm without distant metastases, thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid gland) is recommended.
- For distant metastases, thyroidectomy is recommended along with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
What Support can we Give for Follicular Thyroid Cancer?
Follicular Thyroid Cancer is a rare cancer, meaning it is not as well known as other forms of cancer. Without a Ribbon is an Australian organisation that provides support for individuals who suffer from rare cancers. So, we provide a designated platform for Warriors to obtain information specific to their Rare Cancer. We also provide annual opportunities for our Warriors to meet and learn from each other. If you suffer from rare cancer such as Follicular Thyroid Cancer, we can help and support you through your journey thanks to the generous donations we receive. Click the link below to sign up and become a Warrior today!
You can help us with your donation:
Without a Ribbon is a charity that works hard to aid those who suffer from rare cancers. You can help our cause in a variety of ways:
Donations — Without a Ribbon is grateful when we receive every donation. Giving to Without a Ribbon helps us to provide ongoing support, organise the annual gathering and subsidise the costs of our Warriors attending these conferences.
Sponsorship — If you wish to sponsor our charity, please contact us using this form.
Volunteering — We are always looking for volunteers to help with different aspects of running our charity. So, if you are looking for volunteer work, please feel free to contact us.
